Araujo one of just three untouchable players at Barcelona

Stuart Telford

• 11 Jan 2024 15:42 GMT
• 3 min read

Ronaldo Araujo has been linked with a transfer to Manchester United or Bayern Munich, but the Uruguay defender is seen as one of just three players the club are unwilling to sell.

Barcelona remain in most of the €1.35 billion debt they had when they lost Lionel Messi on a free transfer to PSG in 2019, although it has been reduced and restructured such that the club can sign players - for nominal fees, on loan or free transfers.

Although Joan Laporta has activated a number of 'financial levers', the fact remains that the quickest way to raise capital - whilst simultaneously reducing outgoings - is to sell players, and it is understood that the club will listen to offers for almost the entire squad.

But Araujo, who has been linked with the record champions in England and Germany, won't be going anywhere according to a report in Spain.

Araujo, Pedri and Gavi

"Ronald Araujo, Pedri and Gavi are considered Barca's leading players in the medium- and long-term," writes Sport's Toni Juanmarti. "In the Uruguayan's case, even the short-term, since he is already a club captain with a strong character.

"Some years ago it was [Carles] Puyol, Xavi and [Andres] Iniesta, and now the club want to base the squad around these three figures."

Araujo is valued at €42.5 million by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm but has a release clause of €1bn, so Barca will likely only have to sell the defender should he try and force a move - which seems unlikely.

"The only thing I can say is that I'm focused on the team and this club," he said recently. "I'm comfortable here and always try to give everything for this shirt.

"They are always rumours that appear in all markets. There was talk in the summer about Manchester United, but I'm focused on Barca. And I'll always give 100 per cent."